The Federal Government has disclosed that it has not decided on
the location of the new six (6) Colleges of Education recently
approved by President Muhammadu Buhari.
This is coming barely 48 hours after letters purportedly
emanating from the Federal Ministry of Education which indicated
the location of the new colleges of Education in Osun state went
viral on the internet.
The Federal Government has described the letter circulating in
social media as fake.
This was disclosed on Sunday by the Director Press and Public
Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr Ben Bem Goong via
telephone.
Goong disclosed that the Ministry was appalled by the fake
letter purportedly signed by the Permanent Secretary, Arc Sonny
Echono.
“I’m aware of the letter. The Permanent Secretary showed it to
me on Friday. It is fake. We will do something about this before
serious havoc do,” he said.
According to TRIBUNE[1], there was
confusion when two letters were written on the same date and
addressed to Mr Gboyega Oyetola, Executive Governor of Osun State,
from the Federal Ministry of Education with the same signature
carrying different approvals for the location of the new College of
Education in the state.
Curiously, while one of the letters indicated that President
Muhammadu Buhari has approved the establishment of a College of
Education to be located at Iwo in Iwo Local Government Area of Osun
State, Nigeria.
The second letter said President Buhari has approved the
establishment of a College of Education to be located at Ila
Orangun, Ila local government of Osun State.
The two controversial letters dated 16th April 2020, all
addressed to Osun State Governor entitled: “Approval of the
Establishment of new College of Education in Osun State was
purportedly signed by the Permanent Secretary, Arc. Sonny
Echono.
One of the letters read: “I write to inform your Excellency that
Mr President has graciously approved the establishment of six (6)
new Colleges of Education across the six (6) geopolitical zones to
address the emergency education needs of the country particularly
in the states where such federal institutions do not exist.
“Consequently, the president has approved the establishment of a
College of Education to be located at Iwo in Iwo Local Government
Area of Osun State, Nigeria.
“In view of the above, a Technical Term from the federal
Ministry of Education (FME) and National Commission for Colleges of
Education (NCCE) would be visiting your state to review and inspect
the location from 11th May 2020 to facilitate early take-off.
“Kindly accord the members of the Team necessary cooperation as
they liaise with State Officials (Hon. Commissioner and his team)
to ensure adequate arrangement for the commencement of academic
activities by October 2020.”
“I’m not aware of such letters but the Federal Ministry of
Education will resolve that. Citing Federal institutions is usually
a subject of controversy. Maybe some people want it cited in their
place,” the source who is not in a position to speak for the
commission said.
The Federal Government has disclosed that it has not decided on
the location of the new six (6) Colleges of Education recently
approved by President Muhammadu Buhari.
This is coming barely 48 hours after letters purportedly
emanating from the Federal Ministry of Education which indicated
the location of the new colleges of Education in Osun state went
viral on the internet.
The Federal Government has described the letter circulating in
social media as fake.
This was disclosed on Sunday by the Director Press and Public
Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr Ben Bem Goong via
telephone.
Goong disclosed that the Ministry was appalled by the fake
letter purportedly signed by the Permanent Secretary, Arc Sonny
Echono.
“I’m aware of the letter. The Permanent Secretary showed it to
me on Friday. It is fake. We will do something about this before
serious havoc do,” he said.
According to TRIBUNE[1], there was
confusion when two letters were written on the same date and
addressed to Mr Gboyega Oyetola, Executive Governor of Osun State,
from the Federal Ministry of Education with the same signature
carrying different approvals for the location of the new College of
Education in the state.
Curiously, while one of the letters indicated that President
Muhammadu Buhari has approved the establishment of a College of
Education to be located at Iwo in Iwo Local Government Area of Osun
State, Nigeria.
The second letter said President Buhari has approved the
establishment of a College of Education to be located at Ila
Orangun, Ila local government of Osun State.
The two controversial letters dated 16th April 2020, all
addressed to Osun State Governor entitled: “Approval of the
Establishment of new College of Education in Osun State was
purportedly signed by the Permanent Secretary, Arc. Sonny
Echono.
One of the letters read: “I write to inform your Excellency that
Mr President has graciously approved the establishment of six (6)
new Colleges of Education across the six (6) geopolitical zones to
address the emergency education needs of the country particularly
in the states where such federal institutions do not exist.
“Consequently, the president has approved the establishment of a
College of Education to be located at Iwo in Iwo Local Government
Area of Osun State, Nigeria.
“In view of the above, a Technical Term from the federal
Ministry of Education (FME) and National Commission for Colleges of
Education (NCCE) would be visiting your state to review and inspect
the location from 11th May 2020 to facilitate early take-off.
“Kindly accord the members of the Team necessary cooperation as
they liaise with State Officials (Hon. Commissioner and his team)
to ensure adequate arrangement for the commencement of academic
activities by October 2020.”
“I’m not aware of such letters but the Federal Ministry of
Education will resolve that. Citing Federal institutions is usually
a subject of controversy. Maybe some people want it cited in their
place,” the source who is not in a position to speak for the
commission said.